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The Cost Of Accessories

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
I live 20 miles from my nearest supplier for turning, and visit on average 5 or 6 times a year, but i buy most of my supplies on line from the USA or Australia, i have bought from China but will not be doing that anymore due to the over priced mailing costs. I can buy 10 pen clips from the States and with mailing costs it is still cheper than the local supplier, this is just an example. Surely the local suppliers in the UK are losing vasts amounts to overseas due to the prices they have to offer. Surely more money could be made if prices could be matched to the overseas prices?

Just a thought ... :nooidea:
 

ataylor

Registered
Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Posts
1,668
Location
UK
First Name
Andy
The 20% VAT doesn't help Jim. I know we have saved £££'s by buying from overseas, it does seem insane thou. :rolling:
 

Terry

Chairman Plonker
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Posts
9,504
Location
An exile Geordie living in Kingston upon Hull
First Name
Terry
I am in the same boat as you Jim but I nearly always travel by car to the same suppliers as yourself as I like to have a look around plus I hated the postal charges in the UK.
Now with the price of fuel going through the roof and 20% VAT I am finding it increasingly expensive to buy in the UK.
I have never bought from overseas but I am certainly considering this option and I read the posts on this forum regarding overseas purchases with interest.
The fact that Timberbits ( a company I had never heard of ) now offering discounts on top is making this option a reality!!!!
Regards
Terry:thinks:
 

trapper

Registered
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Posts
252
Hi terry here in the uk your right its too expensive. I tend to make up as much as I can including arbors, mandrels etc IAP has many tutorials for such things. There is atooling supplier in Hereford who will make up castings if needed for you to finnish off . Timberbits has an excellent reputation and its remarkable that often they can deliver something here incl p&p cheaper than if bought here. I have received confirmation of the vailablity of pen components being cast here in the uk....... although both myself and the silversmiths are working on the tooling........ very much ball and string blue peter suck it and try route at the mo but I am determined to do it.

The states have many excellent suppliers but many do not want to deal with us here because of the perceived problems of there local taxation culture ( even a guy in Texas is sometimes reticent to supply Florida because of the complex paperwork!!! then add to that our importduties basically the vat and possible freightforwarding charges......
 

Terry

Chairman Plonker
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Posts
9,504
Location
An exile Geordie living in Kingston upon Hull
First Name
Terry
Yes I've found somebody who will make odds and sods a bit cheaper but sometimes making one offs are not much cheaper than something that is mass produced.
However I applaud you Trapper for having a go at trying to make things to save on costs.
Regards
Terry
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Steve, you then have to change peoples mind set ... You are doing a sterling job which i wish you well, the market here in the UK has gone to sleep regarding pen making.. Or no is interested because of the costs they wouldn't be able to make any money ... :rolling:
 

trapper

Registered
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Posts
252
costs and gripes

Yes Jim I totally agree,
It seems a problem here....... much defined by the where does milk come from attitude..... answer Tesco lol. It will be a sad day when people wake up and don't know how to make anything other than buy off the 'net. I have an acquaintance who has that mind set, my computer can do that by cnc. my answer is ok what happens when your machine goes wrong or the pc wont talk to a cnc.......... the same chap wants me to travel 75 miles to fix his cnc gantry he broke of a t-slide bolt and does not know how to remove it!!!!!! In the meantime he can do nothing!!! I'm going to post an article soon, born of writing a tutorial on making sections etc, In a way this will be how I made a mini revolving centre that fits a mandrel hub.

If any one gets really stuck I am willing to help....... my thoughts are problems = unborn solutions. Fortunately I love making solutions!!!! and not just the pen turning.
 

Alan Moore

Full Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Posts
146
Unfortunately costs are a major factor for me,I buy now only when i have to I can't aford to stock up
 

trapper

Registered
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Posts
252
:thinks: Maybe it would be an idea if we all contribute to a directory of suppliers on here that we can all access. We could also add any help and assistance we can each offer one another. Anyone else up for it??
 

trapper

Registered
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Posts
252
:thinks:me thinks our Lord Scribe (Jim) has enough to do what if we can get him to do another section that we can post in asort of private yellow pages....... I'm not even sure if its possible to add another section
 

bellringer

The Young one
Registered
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Posts
5,187
Location
Surrey
First Name
Alex
it would not be to hard once you have the main supplies then you just add then as and when need which would not be often
 

ataylor

Registered
Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Posts
1,668
Location
UK
First Name
Andy
It is a good idea, and knowing Jim he will be all for this as i can tell you this is what he wanted from this site. A place where we can share our knowledge and help each other. :bwink:
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
The idea of this site is just what is said here, without each other we have no clout to try and get things here in the UK. Like everyone on here i have to buy my bulk items from abroad to save me money, how bad is that? I didn't know till the other week that Turner Retreat is owned by Robert Sorby, how truthful this is i am not sure, but i fear these may disappear in the near future as just about all the UK buys bulk from other countries. Timberbits has kindly said they will offer the site discount, but if this site doesn't make it i am sure we will just be forgotten, so to make this work successfully we need more members and more content before anyone in the UK will even listen to us, so if you can, please spread the word and at least let us try to be heard .... :thumbs:

And of course we can add a place for the directory of suppliers that Steve mentions, just give me a list to start us off with ... :thumbs:

Sorry about going off on one ... :frenchkiss:
 

trapper

Registered
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Posts
252
Jim
Here is a thought maybe we could link this forum to the IAP and also the Canadian "ApenturnersParadise". I'm not sure how this would be done though In the meantime I'll do an Index of all the suppliers I use as I do think there are many supplers that members here just are not aware of usual PDF format I guess. I'll also add suppliers details into the two tutorials I'm doing now.
 

Jed Baxter

Registered
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Posts
348
Location
UK
The idea of sharing information sounds good, if we all can save a few pounds then great, if we all can improve what we make then even better. Keep those titorials coming please. :bwink:
 
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